Using Strings and Function Keys

Strings are used to store long, difficult-to-remember, or commonly used commands or values. For example, you might use a string named LL to store a latitude/longitude coordinate (like -35:30:15 98:25:40) that you frequently use when copying or displaying images. Use the commands TE, TD, TL, and TU to work with strings. These commands are described below; for more information see Chapter 3, Commands.

TE creates strings and enters them in the current string table.
TD deletes strings from the current string table.
TL lists strings in the current string table.
TU is the string table utility. Use it to save and restore string tables.

The following conventions apply to creating strings:

String names can be up to 12 alphanumeric characters. Letters must be in uppercase.
The maximum number of characters that can be stored in a string is 160 characters, including spaces.
String names can be single letters, but cannot be H, Y, or X. The strings named H and Y contain the current time and date and cannot be redefined or deleted. You cannot use the string name X because McIDAS interprets it as a place holder for default values in a command.

Use the TE or ASK1 command to change the value of an existing string. For example, if you want to change the value of the string STATIONS from DCA MIA MSP LAX to KDCA KMIA KMSP KLAX, you can either recreate the string and its value with TE, or run command ASK1 STATIONS and add the preceding K before each station.

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